The Home advocate. (Farmerville, La.) 1885-1???, 1887-06-10
CHRISTIE'S NEW DRESS

! fretty CHRISTIE burgess was the
daughter of the widow with whom 7
boarded. was confidential friend Of
both mother and daughter and knew
that, like myself, they had known bet
ter days. Somewhere in California
there was an Uncle Charles, Mrs. Bur
gess's brother, who would keep them,
they were sure, had he known their cir
cumstances, but whose address they
could not tell. and who knew nothing Of
their having left their former handsome
home.
! Some Of Mrs. Burgess's former friends
had visited her and one of them, Mrs.
Wharton had sent Christie an invitation
to party at her house. As soon as it
was positively decided that she could not
90, because new evening dress could
not be thought of, l resolved upon the
awful extravaganza of presenting the
pretty girl with dress.
1t was worth it all to see Christie
when called her to my room on the
afternoon Of the eventful day and in
PRODUCED her to the fiery spread out
upon my bed.
~ have some jewels here, Christie,
am going to lend you for this evening""
said /.
ooh, how pretty aud how odd!" she
cried. Were they made to order, Mrs.
Jane2'
Yes! They were gift to me seven
years ago, when l was your &c,
Christie"
She looked at me wistfully when we
were alone, her soft-brown eyes ques-
tioning my face; but she asked no
questions and went down to her mother,
softly and thoughtfulIy.
Seven years before that night had
been left an orphan, hopeless and heart
broken.
l had no mother to share the grief, no
sister or brother to Tighten it. l was all
alone. was not strong minded girl
to face the trouble, and so shut myself
up alone until the funeral, refusing to
see even Charlie. Then ran away at
| night. had one friend in Cleveland to
whom dared confdc all, and went 20
her. wrote to Charlie and told him
should never ask him to fulfill his VOWS
to me and babe him farewell.
For days after I arrived at Cleveland l
was utterly Frustrated; but my friend
was kind, AS knew she would be, and
when was able to think aided me in all
my plans. had brought nothing from
home but the one mourning suit had
worn to the funeral and Charles car
buncles.
Mrs. Munroe had been an old friend
of my met ,cr's, and had Wis ID us more
than once, always urging me t. return
tie visits, but, unable to win my fathers
consent to part with me for SO long a
journey, for was three days railway
ride from my old home. AS soon as !
was able to undertake teaching, Mrs.
Munroc cxertcl herself to procure me
| scholars, and l soon hal class that
paid me All income sufficient for my
modest wat
, For six years l had home in my
friends house, she alone knowing that
Miss Jane Gray was the missing Ella
Thorne advertised by her relatives, more
to save their own reputation than from
any interest in her fate. ] made, 10
doubt, a nine days wonder jim A.,
ind then my unc!es, aunts and cousins
probably forgot my existence. Charlie,
perhaps, was one of those 8 licking me,
t BY. was ., resolved a;. never share my
When the death Of my friend and
benefactrcss was added to my list of
SORROWS, I was known enough in Clevc-
land to retain my scholars, and found a
new home with Mrs. Burgess.
Twas still sitting with locked door,
brooding over the past, and unconscious
that Christie had been gone three hours,
when Mrs. Burgess csme to my room,
demanding admittauce in an excited
voice. Iopened the door at once.